What Is Next?

Are you struggling in your life right now? Perhaps it’s something so challenging that it’s brought you to your knees in worry. Perhaps it is the US election that has you struggling as you think fear won. Maybe you are worried about what is taking place in Standing Rock or many other places in the world that are in harms way. Or is it a personal struggle that you are facing in your health, your relationships, or in your finances?

We are a week past the US elections that has brought a lot of fear to the surface in a personal and global perspective. I have had many friends reach out who are truly worried about their personal safety and rights from the LGBT community, African American community, Muslim community and more. I have had a friend share her heartbreak on a miscarriage. I have witnessed the grief of letting go of a relationship that no longer works. All have valid sorrows and all have a right to feel those feelings. I cannot tell you how to feel, nor can anyone else. Saying ‘it’s going to be okay’ in the midst of deep sadness are simply words. Feel your feelings, just don’t negatively act upon them.

So what’s next? I invite you to move through your struggle, however it is showing up for you, by:

Taking it moment by moment. Often sorrow isn’t a day by day or a week by week event. It’s a moment by moment process and that is okay. You will cry. You will laugh. You will be numb one moment and empowered the next. Love yourself through the process.

Reaching out to the dolphins in your life. Let them know if you are just needing to be heard or if you are asking for help moving through the process with suggestions. Surround yourself with people who see the best in you and in the world when you are unable to see it for yourself.

Being love in action. Whatever side of the political spectrum you stood on, if you stand for love, now is the time to stand TALLER. Let people know they matter to you. Join groups that are focused on positive solutions and change. Anger can be channeled into positive change. I think of Mother Teresa’s quote when I decide to move forward – If you have an anti war rally I won’t come, but I will for a peace rally (paraphrased).

Becoming acutely aware of your feelings and do something loving for yourself when you start to back peddle into the struggle.

Focusing on seeing the best in others – yep, even those that are on opposite sides of you. See their heart rather than their hurt.

Mostly, I encourage you to see the love, kindness, compassion, and hope that is right beside you – because it’s all IN you. However you find yourself today in celebration or sorrow, I send you the biggest hug imaginable to remind you that you matter to me, you matter to the world, and most importantly, you matter to you.

Until next time – love big and then love bigger.

Affirmation:

I am loved and loving.

Words to Live By:

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ – Eleanor Roosevelt

Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. – Denis Waitley

Successful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them. – Jack Canfield